About
I'm an entrepreneur building and backing companies focused on curing Dystrophic EB (DEB).
My son Abe was born with the disease, which is caused by mutations in the COL7A1 gene. The recent success of Krystal Biotech's gene therapy — now on a path toward $1B in peak sales in DEB — has validated both the science and the market opportunity. But significant unmet need remains, particularly for therapies that can deliver more durable and systemic benefit for patients.
I started Abe Bio to help accelerate that progress, building and investing in companies developing new therapeutic approaches for EB and related rare skin diseases.
Previously I founded Zencargo, a supply chain technology company that scaled to $100M+ in revenue across six countries. I now apply the same venture-building approach to rare disease — working with scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors to turn promising ideas into real medicines.
Current Projects
ReadOn Tx
Nonsense Readthrough · 35% of severe RDEB cases · $10M funded
We are developing small-molecule therapies to read through premature termination codons caused by nonsense mutations, initially focusing on RDEB.
Gene Therapy HoldCo
Multiple CGT programmes · $50M available
A holding company structure designed to incubate and scale multiple gene therapy ideas across DEB subtypes and adjacent rare skin conditions, including a personalised gene editing platform.
Abe Fund
$15M deployed with partners
Early-stage investment vehicle backing science and companies aligned with the DEB ecosystem.
Unblocking a Cure
Delivery · Speed to clinic · Regulatory path
Removing bottlenecks between science and the clinic — delivery, regulatory strategy, and patient access.
Scientific Thesis
Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (DEB) is caused by mutations in COL7A1, the gene responsible for producing Collagen VII.
Collagen VII forms anchoring fibrils, that bind the epidermis to the dermis beneath it. These fibrils act as the mechanical glue that keeps the skin structurally intact.
When Collagen VII is absent or non-functional, the two layers of skin cannot properly attach. Even minor friction can cause the skin to blister or tear, leading to chronic wounds that struggle to heal.
Over time, this persistent wounding drives severe complications including infection, fibrosis, and aggressive squamous cell carcinoma, which in severe forms of the disease often develops in early adulthood and is the leading cause of death.
The consequences extend beyond the skin. Collagen VII is also critical to the structural integrity of epithelial tissues in the eyes, mouth, esophagus, and rectum, which is why DEB is a systemic disease rather than simply a dermatological condition.
Experience
2023 – Present
Abe Bio
Founder & CEODystrophic EBBuilding a rare-disease venture builder focused on Dystrophic EB. Building ReadOn Tx (small molecule) and a Gene Therapy Holdco, alongside various investments.
2016 – 2023
Zencargo
Founder & CEOSupply Chain TechnologyScaled to $100M+. Raised $60M+ in VC funding. Grew to 150 employees across 6 countries. Now Chairman as Zencargo continues to grow.
2012 – 2015
Cerberus Capital
Special SituationsPrivate EquityDistressed debt investing. Operational turnarounds.
2008 – 2012
Goldman Sachs
Distressed DebtTradingNY & London. Structured credit, high-yield, and leveraged loan markets.
Writing
6. Deep Dive · Why Itch Dominates Life in RDEB
22 Feb 2026
What do we need to do in the next 5 years to enable curative solutions in the clinic by 2035 for EB?
23 Jan 2026
5. Deep Dive · Systemic Inflammation & Fibrosis in RDEB
14 Sept 2025
4. Deep Dive · Eyes — Corneal Fragility & Vision‑Loss Risk
8 Aug 2025
3. Deep Dive · Skin & Chronic Wounding
13 Jul 2025